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INEC Chairman reveals what determines elections success, says its not technology

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, says elections succeed only when the public trusts the information they receive, not on technology alone.

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He spoke on Friday in Abuja at the presentation of a book titled ‘The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists,’ authored by Mr Segun Ojumu.

Amupitan warned that even strong electoral systems could be weakened by misinformation, misinterpretation, or deliberate distortion of facts.

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“Elections do not succeed on technology alone; they succeed when the public believes in the information they receive,” he said.

He added that journalists provide the “on-ground verification” that sustains confidence in the ballot and reinforces the credibility of the process.

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“The credibility of our electoral process is paramount; it is the foundation upon which our democracy stands,” he said.

He described the more than 100 members of the INEC Press Corps as indispensable links between the commission and the voting public.

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“Your role is critical. You are frontline correspondents who ensure outcomes are transparent and verifiable.

“You are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation,” he said.

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Amupitan urged journalists to abandon reliance on rumour and instead verify all information directly from the commission.

He said the commission’s website and digital channels remained the most authoritative points of contact for accurate information.

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He noted the impact of media reporting, citing coverage of the Anambra governorship election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

He called for sustained partnership to tackle vote-buying, rigging, and deliberate falsehoods that discourage voters or trigger unrest.

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“The media must act against falsehoods that suppress turnout, incite violence, or undermine the integrity of our results,” he said.

He praised the author, saying the book documents the sacrifices and risks faced by journalists covering Nigeria’s complex elections.

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He pledged continued openness, accountability, technological innovation, and collaboration as INEC prepares for the FCT polls and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

In his remarks, Ojumu said the book was inspired by eleven years of reporting on INEC and a decade of covering election cycles.

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He said it was not merely a record of events but a tribute to journalists who work in volatile and demanding environments.

“When you flip these pages, you are reading a history of courage,” Ojumu said.

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He cited the ordeal of colleague Chux Ukwuatu as one example of the dangers faced by journalists defending the public’s right to accurate information.

Ojumu said he hoped the book would inspire more press corps members to document their experiences for future generations.

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He commended INEC’s technological reforms, saying digital accreditation and the IReV results portal had transformed election reporting.

He called for continuous training and mental-health support for journalists operating in high-pressure situations.

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He urged INEC, political parties, security agencies, and the media to prioritise reporter safety, saying democracy thrives only “when the messenger is protected.” (NAN)

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

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The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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