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Women group seeks gender-inclusive, peaceful election in Anambra

Published

2 months ago

September 24, 2025

ElectHER, a pan-African non-partisan organisation advancing gender-inclusive democracy, has concluded a two-day engagement in Anambra State combining a multi-stakeholder roundtable with an advocacy visit to security agencies, as part of efforts to ensure an inclusive, peaceful and secure governorship election on November 8, 2025.

The stakeholder engagement roundtable, held on Wednesday at the Radisson Onyx Hotel, Awka, brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, civil society, academia, journalists and grassroots leaders.

Discussions centred on voter mobilisation, women’s participation and strategies to deliver credible, inclusive and peaceful polls. The engagement was convened with support from the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, which partners with civil society to deepen electoral integrity and inclusion.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer, ElectHER, Ibijoke Faborode, noted that Anambra State has a legacy of women’s political visibility, starting from Dame Virginia Etiaba’s tenure as Nigeria’s first female

governor to consistently high numbers of female legislators.

Faborode added that a pre-assessment report by ElectHER highlights a striking contrast, adding that despite Anambra’s 5.6 million residents and 5,720 polling units, and with women making up 58 per cent of new voter registrants, women currently occupy only 0.6 per cent of elected positions.

She said, “There is a glaring gap between voter strength and representation, one that must be urgently closed.

“We cannot allow insecurity and systemic exclusion to silence women in a state where they form such a significant share of the electorate.”

On her part, ElectHER’s Democracy and Governance Programmes Lead, Zigwai Tagwai, noted that collaborative action by INEC, political parties, the media, and security actors would be key to restoring trust and boosting turnout.

In their contributions, stakeholders echoed these concerns with practical recommendations.

A stakeholder, Chukwudi Philip, urged the media to intensify fact-checking and avoid amplifying unverified claims.

A journalist, Gabriel Okpaleze, called for the electronic transmission of results to prevent delays that often fuel disillusionment, while Ernest Nnoli pressed for more effective deployment of BVAS technology and systematic verification of information to counter fake news.

Members of the civil society groups, including the Development for Community Democracy Advocacy Initiative, the

Centre for Development and Empowerment of Knowledge and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene network stressed that misinformation, insecurity and weak party commitments remain key barriers to women’s participation.

The dialogue secured firm commitments from different agencies involved in the electoral process.

During a visit to the office of INEC in Awka, the commission pledged to expand ad hoc staff recruitment beyond 26,000 and improve polling unit management.

Also, Civil society organisations are committed to voter mobilisation and citizen hotlines, while the media representatives vowed to strengthen ethical reporting, and security agencies agreed to preventive deployments at flashpoints and to adopt gender-sensitive protection measures.

Political parties were also urged to engage in issue-based campaigns and shape their messaging around citizens’ real

concerns, including security, jobs and healthcare, while ensuring greater visibility for women candidates.

ElectHER followed the roundtable with an advocacy visit to the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, where the State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding the elections before, during, and after the polls.

Olatunde further assured that female officers will be adequately deployed, stressing that inclusivity in security operations is essential to guaranteeing safe and credible elections in Anambra State.

ElectHER pledged to consolidate the insights from both engagements into advocacy briefs and mobilisation campaigns targeting women and youth, while continuing to champion systemic reforms such as the Independent Candidacy Bill and the Reserved Seats Bill.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.