The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded a total of 3, 441,121 completed registrations in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to the week 13 update released by the commission on Wednesday in Abuja, the figure comprises both online pre-registrations and physical walk-ins at various centres nationwide as of April 3.

The data revealed that 2,068,384 citizens completed their pre-registration online, while 1,372,737 voters opted for physical registration.

It also showed Jigawa leading with 201,047 representing 5.84 per cent of the total registrations; followed by Lagos with 181,095, while Kano State ranked third with 177,681.

The update further showed that participation of youths between the ages of 18 and 34 accounted for 2,354,768, representing 68.43 per cent of the new registrants.

In terms of gender distribution, females accounted for 1,922,143, representing 55.86 percent of the total new voter registrants, while males accounted for 1,518,978, representing 44.14 per cent.

The occupational distribution also showed that students represented the largest single block of new voters at 1,235,931 (35.92 percent), followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 percent), and farming/fishing at 615,967 (18.28 percent).

The data further showed that 48,330 of the new registrants were Persons with Disabilities.

The commission explained that the 3,441,121 figure was a preliminary figure pending data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.

The commission emphasised that registration remained suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in compliance with Section 9 (6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on Feb. 21.

It, however, advised eligible Nigerians who were yet to register to visit the official portals at https://cvr.inec.gov.ng or https://cvr.inecnigeria.org to do so.

NAN

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Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress joined a large demonstration in Abuja on Wednesday, protesting decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission that they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.

The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians, including Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye, to Maitama Roundabout. Among others, hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members also participated.

The demonstration saw participants singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite the fact that it was replaced on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The ADC further confirmed that the act was done “in an act of defiance.”

Several demonstrators also held placards supporting Senator David Mark, including ones that read, “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”

Addressing the protest, former presidential candidate Peter Obi spoke on behalf of ADC members and other opposition leaders, urging Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy.

He said on X: “We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed.

“We say NO to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land.”

The protest follows INEC’s recent decision to no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the ADC led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala, after a Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute. ADC and other opposition groups described the move as a restriction on party autonomy and an interference with internal party affairs.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko,  had earlier told The PUNCH the demonstration aimed to mobilise Nigerians in defence of democracy.

“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time. Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.

“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest,” he said.

A new faction within the African Democratic Congress has surfaced, rejecting the authority of the Senator David Mark-led coalition and distancing itself from Nafiu Bala’s faction.

According to Africa Independent Television, the faction led by Don Norman Obinna claims to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee of the party.

The group says it is stepping in to manage the party’s affairs ahead of the next national convention.

At a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the group stated that “The tenure of Ralph Nwosu, who handed the party to the David Mark group, had ended in August 2022, and afterwards, he (Nwosu) had faced a series of litigations due to his failure to step down.”

The faction also clarified the status of Nafiu Bala, noting that he “never held the position of National Vice Chairman,” and affirmed that former ADC presidential candidate “Dumebi Kachikwu is still a member of ADC”

The group further disclosed that new interim leaders have been appointed to oversee party activities, ensuring continuity until the national convention is held.

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