According to Nivo News, the Independent National Electoral Commission has urged residents of Oyo State to see the Permanent Voter Card as their most powerful tool for determining their political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at a media briefing in Ibadan on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Adeniran Tella, expressed concern over the large number of uncollected PVCs currently lying at INEC offices across Oyo State. He appealed to eligible voters who are yet to retrieve their cards to do so promptly, stressing that the PVC remains the only valid instrument for participating in elections.

Tella emphasised that the voter’s card goes beyond being a mere document, describing it as a licence that empowers citizens to shape the future, choose their leaders and hold elected officials accountable. He assured that the commission has identified key challenges from previous exercises and is putting measures in place to address them ahead of 2027.

The REC reaffirmed INEC’s readiness to conduct credible, transparent and peaceful elections, adding that the commission is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders. He also called on the media to support voter education by encouraging eligible citizens to register and collect their PVCs during the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to him, feedback from the initial phase revealed that accessibility remains a major challenge. To address this, INEC is rolling out a statewide rotational deployment of Voter Enrolment Device machines across the 351 registration areas in Oyo State, a move aimed at bringing registration services closer to the people and strengthening the voter register.

According to Nivo News, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 23, 2026, for the hearing of an application seeking to halt further proceedings in the leadership tussle rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to allow counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, formally respond to the motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee against a suit instituted by a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The suit was filed by the Wike-backed faction of the PDP, led by its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, alongside Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who claims the position of National Secretary. In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, the plaintiffs are asking the court to restrain the Turaki-led leadership from presenting itself as the authentic leadership of the party in any capacity.

They are also seeking orders preventing the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services from granting the Turaki-led group access to the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja. In addition, the plaintiffs want the Independent National Electoral Commission barred from recognising any office address submitted by the Turaki faction other than what is already on record with the commission.

The plaintiffs further urged the court to declare that INEC, the police and the DSS are constitutionally obligated to enforce and give effect to earlier judgments and rulings delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu on related matters.

Justice Abdulmalik had earlier granted an ex-parte order directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit. That decision was subsequently challenged at the Court of Appeal by the Turaki-led faction, which also filed an application requesting a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

At Wednesday’s sitting, counsel to the Turaki-led leadership, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, informed the court that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal and that records had been transmitted. He argued that once an appeal is properly entered, the trial court lacks the jurisdiction to continue with proceedings, urging the court to stay the matter indefinitely.

In response, Ikpeazu contended that the filing of an appeal does not automatically translate into a stay of proceedings, especially where the appeal does not affect the substantive issues before the court. He maintained that the court retained the inherent power to continue with the matter and urged Justice Abdulmalik to proceed with hearing all pending applications as earlier directed.

However, after confirming that the plaintiffs were only served with the application for stay late the previous day, the judge ruled that they should be given time to file a formal response. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to January 23 for hearing of the application seeking to halt further proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has also filed a motion asking Justice Abdulmalik to withdraw from the case, citing alleged bias and requesting that the file be reassigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. The applicants argue that their right to fair hearing, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, may be compromised if the judge continues to preside over the matter.

According to Nivo News, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sounded the alarm over what it described as widespread mismanagement of funds and persistent governance lapses in several Nigerian universities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

ASUU President, Professor Chris Pinuwa, raised the concerns in Abuja on Wednesday during the unveiling of the 2025 agreement reached between the union and the Federal Government. He warned that the prevailing situation continues to weaken accountability, institutional stability and academic standards across the university system.

Pinuwa noted that fragile governance structures in some institutions have hindered the proper use of available resources, despite the formal recognition of university autonomy in law. He explained that while autonomy exists in principle, its implementation remains weak, allowing sustained external interference in the management of universities.

He pointed to the frequent dissolution of governing councils and undue influence in the appointment of vice-chancellors as recurring practices that undermine merit-based leadership and destabilise institutions. According to him, such actions often trigger disputes, court cases and internal divisions among staff, disrupting academic programmes and effective administration.

The ASUU president also expressed concern over the growing trend of prolonged acting vice-chancellorships, stressing the need for closer oversight of governing councils and principal officers to protect the integrity of the university system.

On research and innovation, Pinuwa emphasised that adequate funding is essential for Nigerian universities to remain relevant and competitive globally. He disclosed that research and development funding forms a key aspect of the 2025 renegotiated agreement with the Federal Government.

He added that the agreement provides for the transmission of the National Research Council Bill to the National Assembly, proposing the allocation of at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product to research, innovation and development. Pinuwa expressed confidence that lawmakers would act swiftly to pass the bill in the interest of advancing higher education and national development.