Following the conclusion of party primaries, sixteen (16) Political Parties have uploaded their candidates' nomination forms for the Anambra State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6.00pm on Monday 12th May 2025 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

As provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 4 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, the Commission has published the personal particulars of each candidate and his running mate by displaying copies of the Form EC9, along with all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by them, at our State Headquaters and the 21 Local Government offices across Anambra State.

We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025 which is at least 150 days before the day of the election in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 7 on our Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

The Anambra State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday 8th November 2025.

Sam Olumekun mni

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee

I interviewed Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) on the same day. I still remember the red Peugeot 505 they drove to the Onipetesi office of The Punch that evening. Yes, they honoured this reporter and interviewed them in the office at Onipetesi. I was a regular at Tunji Bamisigbin’s and Ralph Nwadike’s office. It was a productive hunting ground for me to catch both budding and made actors. It was there I was first drawn to Funsho Adeolu because of the Adegeye in his name. Oga Bello Adebayo Salami, I interviewed in Ebute Metta and Jide Kosoko I interviewed in his office around Jibowu. 

Unforgettable experience was my session with Sola Sobowale in her office off Allen Avenue, Ikeja. We sat on the floor, swigged gists and laughed loudly. 

Beautiful soul, that one, in and out. We spoke for a long time until mummy duty called when the twins returned from school. I spent many days on the Ikorodu set of Checkmate. That was where I forged a bond with Amaka Igwe. (Then she was Amaka Isaac-Ene), Ngozi Nwosu and Uncle K, Kunle Bantefa. But the hard work that goes into each movie, each series we sit back to enjoy on DStv, Netflix, YouTube, Prime and the cinemas is huge. Forget the glamour. The sweat, tears and focus it requires to become a face or voice In Nollywood is unquantifiable. 

I will never forget the few hours I spent on the set of one of Amaka Igwe’s movies, somewhere in Ogudu GRA and the way Norbert Young wowed me that day. Nobody, no other actor has left such a mark on my 20-something year old mind then like he did. In one of his scenes, he was required to cry and he produced the right amount of tears each time the director shouted ‘Action’.  Then ‘Cut’ and Norbert Young wiped his eyes, returned to the people he was sitting with and they continued their gist, laughing and joking. The Director would then call for another take and Norbert would tear up again, cry so convincingly I wanted to go console him. One minute later, he was back to his gisting session, jokes and laughs. They had many retakes of that scene, even this reporter was exhausted in her chair. But Norbet Young didn’t run out of tears or miss his lines. 

In those days, I enjoyed my time on location because it helped me understand the beat more, see how movies were put together and I could do two interviews in one day and book four for later. There were no phones then, remember?

My date with Pete Edochie is a full book. Olu Jacobs? We are a blessed country. 

Ah, I must not forget the biggest interview of all (for me). Chief Hubert Ogunde in his Ososa village in Ogun State. Weeks after that, the old man went the way of all mortals. So, is this a peep into the book: “What Funke Egbemode did before she became Editor?” I’m shaking my head. Not exactly. I’m just in a collaborative mood and mode.

Nollywood has come a long way and as I watched the 11th edition of the African Magic Viewers Choice (AMVCA), my sad heart lifted and told me: “It’s not over for the Nigeria Economy.” Nollywood has shown that everything that Nigeria needs to be great is in Nigeria. All we need to do is to keep the thick grabbing fingers of politicians and civil servants away from it.

All those encounters with the veterans I started this piece with happened more than 30 years ago. I saw the boyish look of Funsho Adeolu in an old flick and I said to myself: “This is the story of Nollywood.” The boys are now men. As I watched Femi Adebayo on stage with his well-deserved award for the beautiful SEVEN DOORS, many happy thoughts flooded my mind. I remember T’oluwa Nile, Rattlesnake, Saworo Ide. I remember Aye and J’ayesimi, Taxi Driver, Owo lagba, etc. I remember the humble beginning of the Nigeria entertainment industry. Many didn’t give it a chance. They talked and looked down on it. But here we are, on the way to fantastic greatness already doing enviable exploits and, wait for it, all on its own. Nollywood is successful all by itself. Our music, our movies are our exports, our ambassadors by themselves. 

Or is there any other sector of the Nigerian economy that started small, weathered the storm of piracy, no funding, low funding, then grew, expanded, became a national pride like our music and movie industries? I must have missed it. 

How many states that produced these hard working actors have film villages that we can reference? But Ibrahim Chatta and Kunle Afolayan pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and built two. Just like Aliko Dangote did what successive Nigerian governments could not do for decades – a working refinery, Nollywood employs thousands of Nigerians. 

As manufacturers and Internationals leave Nigeria in droves, our entertainment industry is growing roots and bringing in the sheaves in tons. It is touching many sectors that once refused to touch it with a barge pole. The industry that we sneered and hissed at is increasingly looking like our bailout. Or you think a Youth Corper can just walk into Kunle Afolayan’s movie school like he’s doing the academy a favour today? No, he would have to follow due process because it is a profitable, focused corporate entity. 

When Funke Akindele hit the N1 billion mark with: “EVERYBODY LOVES JENNIFER,” in 2024, and Mo Abudu’s: “WEDDING PARTY,” shook the charts, who saw them coming?

While American filmmakers are leaving for Canada and UK locations, Nigerian veteran actors are building film villages that are also resorts for us to save on flight tickets to Europe and Dubai and enjoy our breathtaking natural landscapes. Donald Trump in all his troublesome trumping is seeing Hollywood as deserving of attention, shouldn’t that tell us it is time to rev up our support for this reliable joy-giving sector of the economy? This is our tangible alternative to oil. This is the only evidence that we can actually diversify the economy, earn ‘hard currency’ , attract foreign investors without setting up dozens of committees or organising summits. We will just pray for those who keep running around the world looking for foreign investors that the Lord will open their eyes to what is already in the pockets of their trousers.

The decision by the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation committee to endorse Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s return as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has created more problems within the party.

Sources who spoke to Punch disclosed that the move did not go well with the PDP Governors’ Forum, members of the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and other party stakeholders, thereby reigniting tension within the party.

A senior PDP leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the South-East caucus, along with Peter Mbah, the BoT Chairman, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and some members of the NWC, were upset that the Saraki-led panel endorsed Anyanwu’s resumption without consulting them.

The source stated, “There is renewed agitation over the way Saraki handled the situation. He met with just a few NWC members and decided that Anyanwu should resume office as National Secretary, without consulting the full panel, the entire NWC, or even the governors who assigned him the task.

“I can tell you that some governors like Seyi Makinde, the Enugu State governor, the Zamfara State governor, and even the Bayelsa State governor are not happy about it. They see it as a deliberate move to undermine them and portray them as weak.

“Even some NWC members are uncomfortable with the decision. They expected the Saraki-led panel to meet with them before arriving at such a conclusion.

“Remember, things had been relatively calm since the governors nominated and the NWC approved Koshoedo as National Secretary, until Saraki’s meeting with a few NWC members stirred things up.

“What the governors, the BoT chairman, and several NWC members want is peace within the PDP. They want the interest of the South-East, which made the nomination, to be protected and respected, not for the party’s unity to be sacrificed in favour of a few individuals.”

A PDP chieftain also told the aforementioned publication that the name of the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the party’s scribe.

“I am aware that as of Wednesday, Koshoedo’s name was forwarded to INEC; he is the recognised secretary of the party as of today. I am not aware of any other arrangement outside that,” the source said.

Another party insider confirmed that the decision to endorse Anyanwu did not go down well with many party leaders.

[NaijaNews]

Former Vice President and Founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his conviction that education is the most transformative force for personal and national development.

He stated this while addressing AUN graduating class of 2025.

“My father was jailed for resisting my enrollment in school,” he revealed in a podcast series produced by AUN’s Communications and Multimedia Design department.

“We started from nothing — sitting on the bare ground, writing with our fingers. That’s how far I’ve come.”

Contrary to popular assumptions, Atiku clarified that AUN was not a direct response to his childhood struggles.

“The AUN story is different. It was the American Peace Corps who taught me in 1961 that truly ignited the vision,” he said.

Atiku emphasized the importance of patience and courage, sharing personal anecdotes from his journey.

“I’ve faced tribulations. I’ve been hunted, but I never wavered,” he said.

“Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise. When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship without an election — I rejected it. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became Vice President.”

He also recounted learning courage from his mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who faced a death sentence with unflinching bravery.

“His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier. That’s courage,” Atiku said.

Atiku also detailed surviving an assassination attempt in Kaduna.

“I hid my wife and children in a wardrobe and stepped forward to confront the attackers. They shot at me but missed. I stood up and demanded, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like,” he said.

To aspiring entrepreneurs among the graduates, Atiku offered a clear directive: “Build with integrity. Keep your business independent. Don’t rely on government. Avoid unnecessary confrontation, but never compromise your values.”

[DailyTrust]

The Ward 5 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nelson Adepoyigi, who was kidnapped a few days ago, has been killed by his abductors.

Adepoyigi was kidnapped last Monday while parking his vehicle at his residence in Ifon.

Following the kidnap of the APC chairman, the abductors had demanded a N100 million ransom, but after a series of negotiations and pleas, it was reduced to N5 million.

Adepoyigi was killed after two persons from his community in Ifon volunteered to deliver the N5 million ransom, but they were also captured by the kidnappers, who insisted that an additional N30 million ransom be paid before the release of the trio.

However, the two volunteers were released by the kidnappers, with sources within the community disclosing that the kidnappers confirmed that the APC chairman had been marked to be killed by those purportedly behind his abduction.

While confirming the development, the Chairman of Ose Local Government, Kolapo Ojo, lamented that security challenges in the area are now in a critical situation.

“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.

“We urge our people to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security post, and stand united as we work together to overcome this threat,” he said.

Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Juliet Ibrahim has earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Business Administration, in Marketing Communications from Berkeley College, at the age of 39.

After pausing her education after high school to support her siblings, Ibrahim shared that it was her friend, Busie Matsiko-Andan, who encouraged her four years ago to return to school and pursue her dream.

Despite the challenges of juggling her career and motherhood, she successfully completed her studies as an online adult learner.

Expressing gratitude to her supporters, Ibrahim said she is now looking forward to celebrating her achievement at her upcoming graduation ceremony.

She wrote on Instagram: “As the first daughter in my family, many years ago right after high school I chose to work and wait and put higher education on hold to support my siblings to ensure they all go to school and become successful in their respective careers.

“I became famous at the age of 19 right after high school and extremely busy with my career and didn’t think I had time to go back to school and earn a degree ever until 4 years ago when I met my friend @busiematsikoandan who encouraged me to follow my dream and reminded me that it’s never too late.

“@berkeleycollege welcomed me with open arms and made me feel safe and included as an online adult student and for the first time after years of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience, I’m proud to share that I’ve officially earned my first-ever degree-a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications from Berkeley College! @berkeleycollege

“As an adult student, mother, and full-time creative, this journey was far from easy but I stayed committed. I can’t wait to Walk across that graduation stage, definitely a moment I’ll never forget. You can read the full story in @atoasttolifebook. To every woman chasing her goals despite the odds, this is your reminder: it’s never too late!

“Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way. We did it!”.

[TheNation]

This time last year, Governor Fubara said Rivers State had been liberated. People trooped to churches to thank God for setting them free. According to Fubara, the state, its people and resources, had been in the clutches of a rapacious and gluttonous politician. That fellow decided who was what. Every month that fellow dipped his hands into the treasury and seized a fat chunk of the state’s revenues. The man had wanted a third term through the backdoor and had foisted a fitting lackey in Fubara over the people as his puppet. But Fubara broke the strings and cut the shackles that bound the state, and the masses rejoiced.

Now, one year later, Fubara has chickened out. 

Indeed, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since the liberation of Rivers. The Supreme Court has validated the expired Rivers lawmakers, saying that the seats of defecting lawmakers can’t be declared vacant by any court even if the speaker of the assembly defied the law by not declaring it vacant. A preposterous decision. The lawmakers loyal to the Fubara’s estranged godfather have served him an impeachment notice. Tinubu has dismantled democracy in Rivers, claiming he did it to forestall a breakdown of law and order. Fubara has not contested the unconstitutional declaration that removed him and imposed a military sole administrator on the state. The National Assembly has sabotaged the constitution and approved Tinubu’s perfidy. So Fubara perhaps knows that the liberation has been effectively ambushed. 

Following the removal of Fubara and the hijacking of Rivers, the people have been restive. They have protested against the total capture of their state. They have poured opprobrium and curses on a certain Nebuchadnezzar and his highly-placed enablers. Some states have approached the Supreme Court to nullify the obnoxious declaration of a state of emergency and arbitrary suspension of democratic structures as an abuse of power by our presumptuous president. The Supreme Court has been dragging its feet, perhaps unmindful that that which has crippled a state legislature might someday banish the supreme court. But it’s now known that Fubara, who had been resilient, has succumbed to the intimidation. Probably the televised boast by his godfather that an impeachment was his preferred option did the trick. Perhaps it was the suggestive outlandishly magisterial comportment of the illegal Sole Administrator and the rife insinuation that the state of emergency would be extended that weakened Fubara’s knees. 

In truth, Fubara has never pretended to be a lion. In the beginning, he was a dove or a sheep. Nearly all his commissioners were appointed for him without a whimper from him.  Then, he was the figure of a mistreated goat. His state’s resources were being siphoned daily and he could only watch. When it appeared the leash would be put on his scrotum and tied to a tree in the backyard to publicize his servitude and prevent him from fathering independent ideas, he broke loose like an indignant ram. That was all. The masses did the rest. Fubara is not a dog of war. And nobody expects him to grow canines overnight. But why would expect a liberated people to return with him to sheepishness?

Fubara has visited his godfather perhaps to plead for mercy. The details are still sketchy. We don’t know if he knelt or prostrated before his former political deity. Before long, the garrulous deity will organize a media chat to describe in full  Fubara’s countenance on that occasion. But we know Fubara went to London to see the president. He has never ceased to pledge his loyalty to the president who dismantled democracy in Rivers. We can’t deny the reality that Fubara is cornered. His options are few. He can’t but negotiate with people from whom he had liberated the state. Since trust is shattered and he appears trapped, and his spirit is fretful, and his opponents are ruthless and capricious, he has to be pitied. These people are cold political entrepreneurs. It’s inconceivable that any reconciliation mediated by those who masterminded or enabled his travails would let him off the hook without restoring the strings of the puppeteer. The secret meetings can only yield a naked return to servitude. So how can Fubara avoid a brutal checkmate without surrendering the state? 

Some might say a politician must do what a politician has to do to retain power. And that politics involves dirty compromises. In other words, Fubara can return to his strings and surrender the state and its resources to remain governor. But is Fubara free to re-mortgage the state to save his position? Was the liberation a ruse? 

A few days ago, Fubara was in church. The priest came down hard on the politicians who were desperate to capture the state and its resources. Perhaps the priest didn’t realize that  Fubara was already tired of liberation. When it was Fubara’s turn to speak, he cautioned people for speaking loudly against his opponents. He no longer wanted anyone to say that God should punish the oppressors of the state.  He admonished persons fighting for liberation to seek approval from him before speaking. Perhaps Fubara now thinks he owns the liberation. 

It would be a tragedy for  Fubara to believe that the struggle for the liberation of Rivers was about him. And that it must end if he returns to his supercilious godfather like a craven prodigal son. Hopefully, this cowardly sermon was a political offering intended to soften the minds of the people who masterminded the usurpation of democracy in the state. But Fubara has to be circumpect. Condemning those speaking forcefully against the evil in Rivers as damaging his peace efforts is childish naivety. Hopefully, Fubara was speaking tongue in cheek. But going forward, he must forgo ambivalence. Rivers is being raped. He must step up or step aside. 

Rivers is being raped. Fubara can’t continue fumbling around like a frightened chicken. He can’t continue clandestine negotiations that will legitimize state capture under any guise. He is free to resume his duties as a puppet but he must know that will make him reprobate. He shouldn’t count on the people to return with him to servitude. Although his position is precarious and he has no easy escape routes, he can’t be forgetful. He must insist on mediation by a committee of impartial national statesmen so that even if Pharoah gets something for his hungry throat, the people are not forced back into captivity in Egypt. Otherwise, he can voice his frustration and quit honourably. Fubara said his spirit had left the seat of power. Perhaps that was his way of saying he wasn’t desperate to be governor. However, he must never forget that the people stood and still stand by him. He owes them a moral duty to stand by them. They don’t want to return to being the slaves of that Nebuchadnezzar 

Peace is good. But slavery is not peace. 

As the Premier League season edges toward its conclusion, Sunday’s blockbuster between Arsenal and Newcastle United is set to add heat to the race for Champions League qualification and determine the final twists in a tightly packed top-six battle.

Arsenal, sitting second on 68 points, remain mathematically in the title hunt but must overcome high-flying Newcastle (66 points) at the Emirates to keep their faint hopes alive.

With two games remaining for both teams, the match could be decisive in determining final European positions.

Chelsea, who have played a game more, also sit on 66 points after 37 games and remain in the mix following recent form under manager Enzo Maresca. They will closely monitor results as they prepare for their final league match.

Manchester City (65 points), with two matches remaining, complete a tense cluster jostling for European qualification spots.

Aston Villa (66 points) has one match left. Results from other fixtures will add more twists to their fate.

Liverpool, who have won the title, remain clear at the summit with 83 points.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest (62 points) travel to West Ham aiming to secure a top-seven finish, while Brentford and Fulham—both tied on 55 and 51 points respectively—face off in a mid-table London derby.

Everton host Southampton in the early kick-off, while Leicester take on Ipswich Town and Arsenal’s showdown with Newcastle wraps up the day.

[Punch]

‏Davido, the Afrobeats singer, has penned an emotional message celebrating Asa Asika, his longtime manager, on the occasion of his traditional wedding to fiancée Leona Adesanya. 

The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday.

Taking to his X page, Davido reflected on their journey together, from humble beginnings to achieving global success.

In the post, the ‘Be There Still’ hitmaker recalled how they built their careers from the ground up, overcoming challenges and staying true to their roots.

He emphasised that nothing was handed to them and that every achievement was earned through hard work, loyalty, and an unbreakable bond.

Davido described Asa as more than just a manager but a brother who stood by him through every struggle.

He praised Asa’s growth and expressed deep joy at seeing him find love and happiness with Leonna.

“Asa, today shattered me… in the most beautiful way. Seeing you stand beside Leonna, with peace in your eyes and love in your heart — I couldn’t hold it in. Not just because of the man you’ve become, but because of how you became him,” he wrote.

“Nothing was handed to us. We built this — through fire, through faith, through a bond that never broke. We didn’t chase the spotlight. We stayed rooted. Loyal to our story, loyal to our people. We didn’t sell out — we carried the culture, even when it felt heavy.

“That’s why the blessings never left. Because we never left us behind. You’ve been more than my manager. You’ve been my shield. My sanity. My brother in every battle. When the lights were off and it got dark, you stayed. And even now, with the world at our feet — you’re still that same solid soul I started with.”

Davido also thanked Leonna for bringing out the best in Asa, noting how she had softened his heart and brought him genuine happiness.

“But Asa, since Leona came into your life, you’ve changed. You softened. You smiled more. You became a man at peace. And watching her see the real you — not the workhorse, not the machine — but you… that healed something deep in me too,” he wrote.

“Leonna, thank you. For loving him the way we all hoped someone would. You didn’t just join the journey — you became its purpose. You brought him home to himself. I promise, as long as I breathe, I’ll protect what you two have built. This wedding, it’s not just love. It’s legacy. It’s proof that we can rise without losing our souls.

“That brotherhood can survive success. That culture can be kept, not just worn. We didn’t just make it, Asa. We made it our way. And standing next to you today, I feel something no award can give me. I feel home. Forever beside you, David.”

[TheCable]

On May 9, 2025, Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The outcome shocked the nation as over 1.5 million of the 1.9 million candidates, that is 75%, who sat for the exam, reportedly scored below 200, the popularly acclaimed cut off mark for admissions into many courses. The development greatly hit the hard-earned reputation of JAMB and its Chief Executive, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. Many students threatened to sue JAMB while some loud voices called for the resignation of Oloyede. Indeed, there were calls by interested parties especially university teachers for the scrapping of the exam body. Luckily, the dark clouds have since eased off drastically thereby opening the door for impartial and objective commentaries on the matters arising.

Of utmost importance, is the expedience of seeking visionary leadership to strengthen societal institutions in Nigeria. First, there is much to gain if government can consider deploying a result-oriented technocrat like the JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC – an institution that has always been overwhelmed by its seasonal assignments. This is not a new suggestion from this column. A similar appeal was made exactly 6 years ago in an article titled “INEC should emulate JAMB’s Ishaq Oloyede” published on May 10, 2019. What prompted the call at the time was the strict adherence to the use of technology by JAMB compared to how INEC permanently prevaricates and polarizes its concentration on its chosen strategy. At the time, JAMB introduced biometric verification and directed it should be the only mode for admittance of candidates into examination centres.

To ensure it was adhered to, JAMB instituted an operational slogan known as ‘no biometric verification no examination.’ The situation was the direct opposite at INEC where the nation was told that no card reader no election, yet elections were held in many centres where card readers were deliberately discarded without consequences. Other innovations have been similarly handled over time. What this implies is that the introduction of technology is not all that needs to be done; it must be monitored, guided and coordinated all through. The first sign that Oloyede was the master of the game was his evolution of a software that created a 5-sided link which made the headquarters receive LIVE reports from all registration centres on a) when a centre registers a candidate; b) the exact time the candidate was registered; c) the official who registered the candidate; d) the computer system used; and e) the location of the registration centre.

Before Oloyede’s tenure, JAMB activities were bedevilled by a myriad of challenges ranging from examination malpractice to admission fraud – an era which has vanished since 2016 when Oloyede designed a system whose efficacy virtually nullified every dubious disruptive plan. Apart from operational effectiveness, the old culture of snakes swallowing millions of naira as well as inefficiency in the exam processes and procedures came to a sharp end. This posture notwithstanding, the exam body was critically challenged last week when some technical personnel deployed by the Service Provider in some locations especially those for Lagos and the South-East zones inadvertently failed to update some of the delivery servers. The carelessness and negligence of the agents caused JAMB incalculable damage. But we must give it to Oloyede that within 24 hours of rigorous work, where the problem emanated from was isolated.

The damage control which the authorities quickly applied was not only successful, it has remained a classic example of how effective leadership ought to function. This is a feature that is clearly absent in many Nigerian institutions and organizations. In the case of elections, the umpires look out for no hitches and take no heed of those brought to their attention. Instead, they exhibit a posture of nonchalance and a garb of self-importance which closes the room for accountability. For example, the golden opportunity given to INEC to officially review some disputed results within 7 days is usually wasted in asking complainants to go to court. Painfully, this culture is encouraged by the attitude of the courts which places every burden on complainants without even assisting them to get INEC to release the relevant public data in its custody so as to diligently arrive at the justice of the case.

Last week’s problem with JAMB’s examination results was treated differently. It took only one day of diligent work for JAMB to identify the problem which it quickly tackled. Most importantly, Professor Oloyede did not pass the buck, he personally in an emotionally laden voice of remorse took the blame. This idea of vicarious liability in which a leader takes responsibility for the lapses of his subordinates does not exist in Nigeria. In March 2014, the then Minister of Interior, Abba Moro under the guise of supervision took over the management of the recruitment of staff by the Nigerian Immigration Service. Due to negligence, there were deadly stampedes in stadia in Abuja, Benin and Port Harcourt etc. with more than 20 deaths recorded. The Minister’s only offensive argument was that ‘the tragedy was caused by the refusal of the applicants to adhere to the rules of engagement designed for the recruitment exercise.’

Nothing was known to have been done to the Minister other than a report few years later that he was charged for fraud over missing funds generated during the botched exercise as if the priority of government was to generate revenue from its unemployed citizens. No remorse, no apology and no vicarious liability. As for INEC, what we hear always is that some irresponsible transporters failed to distribute materials leading to delayed or failed segments of elections. No one gets to know what is done to such negligent transporters just as no one understands why the same transporters are reengaged for the very next activity. At one point, the electoral body rather than apologize for inexplicable postponement of elections said there was no difference between apology and the expression, ‘it is unfortunate.’ Indeed, INEC can procure servers at huge costs and at the end claim it didn’t use servers.

Different groups of critics especially parents of affected candidates who berated Oloyede and JAMB did well and should be commended for it. They should do so to all entities as the lethargy within our service delivery system is attributable to the timid approach of citizens to incompetent officials. The efficacy of stoutly rejecting service failure as the parents did to JAMB last week is by far higher than riots and demonstrations that are politicised and never sustained. At the same time, it is necessary to condemn buck-passing and dishonest rationalization of failed actions. The running of Nigerian entities on excuses and bold-face untruths are not persuasive as we all know the strategy to belong to arm-twisting of the public to which institutions ought to be accountable.

There is also the need to warn busy bodies that are always in the forefront in defending the indefensible. It has become a practice for some publicity seeking citizens to speak for organizations on matters about which they have little or no knowledge. Here, it is necessary to call out the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, which as soon as the uproar of the hitches identified with the JAMB error were disclosed decided to speak for JAMB. MURIC gravely misfired by urging parents and students alike to shelve the idea of suing the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, over the 2025 UTME mishap. It instead advised parents to return home to correct their mistakes ahead of 2026 session. MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, reportedly advised candidates and their parents to lick their wounds and stop blaming JAMB for their failures adding that it was not the fault of the board that the students recorded poor results.

What does MURIC know about JAMB in general and last week’s incident in particular? Can that organization ever educate the nation better on JAMB matters than the visibly proactive spokespersons of the latter? It is indeed uncharitable that the same MURIC which spoke so authoritatively and loudly on the subject did not deem it necessary to emulate Prof Oloyede to publicly apologize for misleading the public. In view of the injury of false alarms to society, i dare say it is still not too late for MURIC and other critics to recant.  We can also hope that leaders of societal organizations and government itself would learn to be accountable to the public as the JAMB boss just did. Those in authority should endeavour to constitute an impartial electoral umpire for Nigeria and allow it to operate independently. Only well-meaning technocrats such as Oloyede and not politicians should be sent to INEC.