- Urge Authorities To Replicate Tinubu, Oborevwori’s Good Governance At Grassroots
The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs have commenced oversight visits to the 25 local governments in the state.
Led by its Chairman, Hon Chukwudi Dafe, the lawmakers were at Warri North and Sapele local government headquarters at the start of the exercise.
Hon Dafe, who represents Ukwuani Constituency in the House, said the oversight duty is in line with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.
Addressing authorities of both Warri North and Sapele local government councils during the visits, Dafe said the “Renewed Hope for More” mantra is on course and commended both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for their foresight.
The lawmaker explained that the duo of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori were ensuring that the development agenda is fully implemented at the grassroots level, hence the concerted effort for increased funding to local government councils.
Flanked by other members of the Committee, including the Vice Chairman, Hon Alfred Martins, Oboro Preyor, Emmanuel Sinebe, Isaac Awnuza, Austin Uroye, Ferguson Onwo and James Aguoye, Hon Dafe said the Delta State House of Assembly is interested in accelerated development across the 25 local government areas of the state.
He said that the Committee is interested in knowing how the local government chairmen have been able to prudently utilise allocated revenue from the federation account by reconciling the received funds with implemented projects and social welfare of people at the grassroots.
The lawmaker promised to keep faith with the constitutional mandate of the Committee, as overseeing the councils will further strengthen the government’s resolve for good governance at the local government level.
While commending Governor Oborevwori for his developmental strides in the state, Hon Dafe emphasised that local administrations must follow suit in line with the MORE agenda.
He stressed the need for prudent resource management, even as he charged the local government chairmen to execute legacy projects that will be impactful to the economic growth of the areas.
The Chairman of the Committee disclosed that all facts gathered would be submitted to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, and commended his support.
Chairman of Warri North, Hon Festus Ashima, appreciated the Committee for the visit, saying that it allowed the Council to showcase projects executed in one year, adding that the local administration is working in accordance with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda.
Ashima noted that although the Council faces challenges of difficult terrain, its administration has been able to complete some projects, while some are ongoing.
Some of the projects include the Chairman’s Office Complex, rehabilitation work at the Staff quarters, and the Abattoir, among others.
At Sapele Local Government, the Chairman, Hon Bright Abeke, described the oversight function of the Committee as a welcome development and commended members for the visit.
Abeke said over 20 executed projects spread across the council were initiated in line with the MORE agenda of the state government. He assured the committee that no projects would be abandoned.
Some of the projects visited include the ongoing construction of a modern market, and Motor Park with built-up lockup shops, construction of nine class blocks, the Corpers lodge and many more.
INEC Devolves Voter Registration To Ward Level, Suspends Online Pre-Registration In FCT
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the devolution of the ongoing voter registration to ward level in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said the exercise would start on Sept. 29 and end on Oct. 8.
Olumekun said the decision was in line with INEC policy as the commission approached major off-cycle area council elections in the territory.
He recalled that a similar thing was done ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2024, and more recently in Anambra for the forthcoming governorship election on Nov. 8.
“Accordingly, the physical (in-person) registration currently taking place in the FCT office and the six Area Council offices of the Commission has been extended to all the 62 Wards, making a total of 69 centres.
“The devolved registration will commence on Monday, September 29 and end on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
“Consequently, the online pre-registration option in the FCT will be suspended on Monday, Sept. 15, to enable all pre-registrants to complete their registration at the designated physical (in-person) centres without which the online option alone is invalid,’’ he said.
Olumekun added that voter registration in the FCT would be suspended on Oct. 8 in line with the provision of Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The provision requires the Commission to end the process not later than 90 days before the date fixed for elections.
The FCT Area Council election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, Feb. 21 2026.
Olumekun said that the online and in-person registration would resume after the election and continue until August 2026, when the nationwide CVR would also be suspended ahead of the 2027 general election, as earlier announced by the Commission.
He appealed to all eligible citizens who were not registered to seize the opportunity of the devolution of the exercise to the Ward level in the FCT to register.
“Citizens who are registered voters elsewhere in the country may also transfer their registration to the FCT. Similarly, those who are already registered voters may transfer their registration to other parts of the FCT of their preference.
“However, no person should register more than once as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,’’ he said.
Olumekun urged the public to note the dates and locations of the devolved CVR and turnout en masse to register ahead of the deadline.
He noted that the list and addresses of the centres had been uploaded to our website and other official platforms for public information.
