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INEC Assures Ondo Voters of Free, Fair, and Smooth Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters in Ondo State of a smooth and credible governorship election as residents head to the polls today.
Speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Professor Kunle Ajayi, INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deliver on its mandate.
Ajayi expressed confidence in INEC’s preparations, stating that the electoral body has taken all necessary steps to ensure a seamless process.
“We have done our work diligently, and we are proud of our efforts.
We will not let the people of Ondo State down as they turn out in large numbers to elect their next governor,” he emphasized.
INEC began distributing sensitive electoral materials to various local government areas across the state on Thursday.
This process was carried out at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Alagbaka, Akure, under tight security.
Armed police officers, party representatives, and commercial buses hired by the Commission were present to oversee and facilitate the distribution.
Unlike the recent governorship election in Edo State, where logistical challenges delayed some materials, Ajayi confirmed that all Registered Areas (RAs) in Ondo State had received their sensitive materials by Friday afternoon.
“As of 3 pm today, every RA had been supplied with their materials.
The next step is to ensure they are delivered to Polling Units (PUs) in time for voting.
I personally visited some of the RAs this afternoon to monitor progress,” he added.
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“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
News
Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
