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Salaries Of Electoral Officials Under Review: A Step Toward Strengthening The Electoral Process
Salaries Of Electoral Officials Under Review: A Step Toward Strengthening The Electoral Process....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Stakeholders have advocated for an upward adjustment of the compensation provided to electoral officials and ad hoc personnel to incentivize them to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
During a roundtable discussion held in Abuja, these stakeholders proposed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should establish a direct connection with security personnel assigned to polling units.
The roundtable event, organized to commemorate International Democracy Day by the Electoral Hub in collaboration with the Madiba Foundation for Good Governance and with the support of the MacArthur Foundation’s Organizing for a New Nigeria (ONN) project, served as the platform for these recommendations.
They stressed the importance of ensuring that INEC recruits individuals with the necessary qualifications to address challenges arising from a lack of understanding of electoral processes and responsibilities.
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Okechukwu Ibeanu, former National Commissioner of INEC, emphasized that to enable ad hoc personnel to perform at their best and maintain the integrity of the electoral process, they need to possess knowledge, courage, and a sense of responsibility.
Ishaq Aliyu, Head of Electoral Operations at INEC in the Federal Capital Territory, highlighted the accomplishments of the 2023 elections while also acknowledging the significant preparations made for the process and the technological hurdles encountered.
Antonia Idemudia, the head of ICT, noted both the progress made in applying technology to electoral procedures and the limitations associated with technology.
The stakeholders collectively recommended that all election staff, including ad hoc personnel, should openly declare any conflicts of interest before being deployed for election-related duties.
Furthermore, they proposed that any misconduct or violations by permanent or ad hoc staff, politicians, security personnel, or voters should be subject to appropriate legal penalties.
Additionally, they suggested that INEC establish direct communication channels with security personnel assigned to various polling units and have access to comprehensive information regarding the deployment of security agents, including those posted for electoral duties.
They also called for a revision of the responsibilities of collation officers for different elections to enhance the management of collation time and performance, particularly recognizing the increased workload of National Assembly Election Results collators compared to those responsible for Presidential Elections.
Lastly, the stakeholders emphasized the collective responsibility of ensuring security during elections, urging cooperation among security agencies, civil society actors, ad hoc personnel, voters, and all other participants in the electoral process to safeguard electoral materials and personnel.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, recently shared on TVC that Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan initially chose not to acknowledge Bola Tinubu as president after the 2023 election until the Supreme Court delivered its final verdict.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During the interview, Bishop Adegbite explained how he and others countered that Nigeria already had a sitting president unless the court ruled otherwise. Expanding on political engagement, Adegbite advised politicians and supporters to focus on promoting their preferred candidates’ achievements rather than disparaging opponents, noting that the administration’s performance—such as major infrastructure initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sagamu-Benin Expressway—will ultimately shape public opinion for future elections.
Additionally, the bishop criticized the rising wave of politically motivated prophecies from religious figures, stating that many of these predictions fail and are merely designed to generate public attention and boost social media engagement.
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THE UNTOLD STORY: Diplomatic Insiders Reveal Why Ayra Starr’s Visa Request Crashed And Burned!.
The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, explained that Nigerian artist Ayra Starr was previously refused a visa because she provided an incorrect yellow fever document.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking with Punch, Moroe clarified that this incident happened back in February 2024 rather than recently, emphasizing that the decision strictly followed immigration policies rather than targeting her celebrity status.
Key details from his statement include:
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The Root Cause: The initial setback occurred because the team submitted a yellow fever certificate from a foreign country instead of one originating from Nigeria.
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Quick Resolution: After the diplomatic mission met with Starr’s team to review the proper protocols, the issue was smoothly resolved, and she was issued a one-year visa to perform in South Africa in 2024.
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Equal Enforcement: Moroe stressed that immigration regulations apply universally to all travelers regardless of fame, appearance, or background.
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Debunking False Claims: He dismissed rumors that South Africa has stopped granting visas to Nigerians, highlighting that monthly applications have actually grown from a previous range of 40 to 60 up to between 60 and 80.
Certain senior military officials have stated that the thwarted coup attempt in September 2025 likely played a role in President Bola Tinubu’s choice to grow the Nigerian Army by adding four new divisions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This planned growth will expand the Army’s operational field divisions from eight to 12 while also paving the way to recruit 28,000 extra personnel.
Speaking to Punch, a high-ranking military intelligence source revealed that post-coup security evaluations heavily shaped current updates to the nation’s security framework. Security planners reportedly determined that stopping future takeover threats demanded an upgrade to the military’s operational strength.
“Given the scale of destruction security agencies believed the failed coup plot could have caused had it succeeded, it is understandable that the government would seek to eliminate every vulnerability capable of supporting another unconstitutional takeover,” the source explained.
Additionally, a Nigerian Air Force officer noted that military leaders were shaken by the failed plot and have since worked on strategies to block any future efforts to overthrow an elected government, which may include expanding military divisions. Internal reviews of public response to the coup reports also shaped government calculations, as officials felt citizens did not show a strong, widespread readiness to openly fight an unconstitutional government change.
While modern advancements in surveillance, intelligence, and command systems already make staging a coup vastly more difficult—requiring hard-to-conceal elements like advanced weapons, secure communications, logistics, and undetected collaborators—authorities view structural reforms as a vital preventive shield.
“From the government’s perspective, the safest option is to ensure that any future attempt becomes practically impossible to organise,” the Air Force officer said.
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