The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish a clear nationwide timetable for the production, distribution and collection of Permanent Voter Cards, warning that no Nigerian who has successfully registered should be disenfranchised by administrative delays.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, the party said millions of Nigerians who participated in the voter registration exercise deserve certainty about when and where their PVCs will be available.

“You cannot register Nigerians to vote and then make them run from office to office searching for the card that enables them to exercise that right. Registration without access to a PVC is disenfranchisement by another route,” the ADC said.

The party called on INEC to immediately publish, state by state, the number of newly registered voters, PVCs produced, cards distributed, outstanding cards and designated collection centres.

According to the ADC, the Commission must also intensify public information campaigns and decentralise collection wherever practicable to ensure that distance, bureaucracy and poor communication do not become barriers to participation.

“With the general election approaching, Nigerians should not be left wondering whether their cards will arrive in time. This is not a logistical footnote. It goes to the heart of the credibility of the election itself.”

The ADC said it would mobilise its structures nationwide to monitor PVC distribution and document complaints from registered voters unable to obtain their cards.

“We do not want an election-eve scramble, excuses or emergency promises. INEC has the opportunity to resolve this matter now, transparently and comprehensively.

“Every PVC that remains unnecessarily unavailable represents a citizen whose constitutional voice is at risk of being silenced. That must not be allowed to happen.”

Former Minister of Aviation and politician, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described reports on the recent killings of two Nigerians in South Africa as “unacceptable”, warning of consequences if attacks were not addressed.

Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle and James Uchechukwu Nwankwo were reportedly murdered in separate incidents in Johannesburg.

Reacting to the incident, Fani-Kayode, in a statement on his X handle on Saturday, expressed concern about the worsening attacks despite several appeals to the South African government.

“I am mortified and deeply shocked to hear about the murder of Bishop Michael Taiwo Fakunle by unknown elements in Johannesburg on September 4th. After issuing a series of threats, his killers went to his home and shot him dead.

“I am equally shocked to hear about the murder of Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwo by officers of the South African Police Service again in Johannesburg on September 5th. He died as a consequence of what has been described as “gruesome interrogation techniques” by the South African police.

“Bishop Fakunle and Mr. Nwankwo are the 7th and 8th Nigerians to have been murdered in South Africa this year alone. No less than 4 amongst the 8 were murdered by South African police officers.

“Outside of that over 100 Nigerian nationals have been murdered in South Africa between 2022 and today and over 30 of them were killed by officers of the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force.

“What is most disturbing is the fact that in spite of our constant expressions of concern about this disturbing state of affairs not one person has been arrested, detained, prosecuted or brought to justice for ANY of these heinous crimes.

“This is unacceptable. We call on the South African Government to do far more to protect our nationals and to bring those that have killed or are planning to kill them to justice.

“No-one deserves to be targetted and murdered simply because they are Nigerian. The Nigerian community in South Africa are deeply disturbed by these developments and live in trepidation of what could happen next.

“So is the Nigerian Mission in South Africa. Equally disturbing is the fact that yet another deadline has been issued to African nationals, including Nigerians, to leave South Africa by September 30th.

“This deadline, like the last one, was issued by a number of brazenly racist, xenophobic and Afrophobic South African Non-Governmental Organisations who have openly threatened to target and harm our nationals if their illegal deadline is not complied with.”

He called on the South African Government to protect Nigerians and other Africans from the excesses of the perpetrators, and make them face the full wrath of the law.

The politician also threatened sanctions against the country if the killings do not cease.

“We also call on the South African Government to bring to justice those that take pleasure in traumatising, terrorising, torturing and killing our nationals.

“Whilst we seek to establish stronger and deeper ties with the South African Government one thing remains clear. If this vicious cycle of discrimination against and killing of our nationals do not stop there will be consequences.

“Simply put our patience is wearing thin. South Africans are not targetted and killed in Nigeria by our people or our security forces.

“The least the South African Government can do is to reciprocate this gesture, protect our nationals and address our legitimate concerns.

“May the souls of Bishop Taiwo Fakunle and Mr. James Uchechukwu Nwankwor rest in peace.”

His reaction followed the suspension of all official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly and directives to lawmakers, committees, officials and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African authorities over reported persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, former Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Fola Tinubu, Chief Executive Officer of Primero Transport Services Ltd have said it is possible to mobilise three million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the state in 2027.

The trio made the declaration during the inauguration of the Fola Tinubu (FT) Support Group for PBAT 2027 campaign office in Ikeja on Friday.

Abiodun, Yayi affirm readiness for 2027 elections at ‘mega’ APC rally
They were supported by some All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.

Obanikoro, Director General of the President Tinubu and Gov. Obafemi Hamzat Campaign Organisation, said the inauguration was part of efforts to mobilise support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the campaign had set a target of securing three million votes for Tinubu in Lagos during the 2027 presidential election.

Obanikoro said the campaign would focus on unity, reconciliation and grassroots mobilisation across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in Lagos.

“Our target this time around is to secure three million votes for President Tinubu in Lagos during the 2027 presidential election.

“That is why we are appealing to party leaders, APC members and stakeholders to prepare for the elections and ensure they have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“We are back stronger together in Lagos to reconcile party members and bridge tribal differences, as we are all one and united to cast our votes for President Tinubu,” Obanikoro said.

Earlier, Ikuforiji urged APC members not to relent in their efforts to strengthen the party, urging them to prepare their PVCs and vote for the party during the elections.

He said increased voter participation would improve the party’s chances of achieving its three million vote target in Lagos.

He said the total votes cast in the recent Osun governorship election were slightly fewer than the number of registered voters in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

He explained that only 28 per cent of registered voters participated in the last election in Lagos, in spite the state having more than six million registered voters.

“If half of the six million registered voters come out to vote for President Tinubu, Gov. Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates, success is ours.

“We should not have anything less than three million votes for President Tinubu from Lagos during the next general elections,” Ikuforiji said.

On his part, Fola Tinubu said the group would embark on grassroots mobilisation across the South West.

He said the group planned to organise rallies in Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo states as part of its mobilisation efforts.

“Our main target is to educate the electorate on President Tinubu’s reforms and agenda to advance the country’s economy and social infrastructure.

“Our main campaign will focus on grassroots mobilisation, leading the crusade in Lagos and across the South-West states,” he said.

Chief Sunday Udeh, President General, Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, assured Tinubu of support from the Igbo community during the 2027 elections.

Udeh said the community had resolved to support the president’s re-election bid and vote for the APC.

“We assure the president of our votes. We, the Igbo community in Lagos, have resolved to cast our votes for APC in the next elections,” he said. (NAN)