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Women group seeks gender-inclusive, peaceful election in Anambra

Published

5 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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Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

Published

5 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

Published

23 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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News

Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

Published

24 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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