The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that over 261,703 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, revealed during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure that out of 1,991,344 registered voters in the state, 1,729,641 have collected their PVCs.

She mentioned that all 210 centers for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise have been identified, listed, and published on the INEC website.

Babalola also noted that 18 political parties would participate in the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, urged stakeholders to mobilize prospective registrants for the upcoming CVR ahead of the governorship election. He appealed to representatives of media houses, civil society organizations, political parties, security agencies, and People Living with Disabilities to help sensitize prospective registrants to register early, avoid double registration, and discourage underage registration.

Ajayi recalled that the last CVR exercise ended in July 2022, before the 2023 general elections. The new CVR exercise will run from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, including weekends.

He emphasized that this period would allow young people who have reached the voting age of 18 and other eligible voters who missed previous CVR exercises to register.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, visited victims of the Kano mosque attack who are receiving treatment at Murtala Mohammed Hospital on Sunday.

Obi explained that his visit aimed to show solidarity with the injured, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery. He also took the opportunity to thank and encourage the hospital management.

Additionally, Obi extended his condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over the tragic incident.

A 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, ignited a petrol bomb, setting a mosque in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area, on fire during early morning prayers. The Kano State Police Command confirmed on Friday that the death toll from the mosque explosion had risen to fifteen.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi emphasized the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in society, noting that the incident was a stark reminder of these values.

“Yesterday, Sunday the 19th, as a follow-up to my earlier condolence message regarding those who lost their lives in the horrific and devastating terror attack on May 16, 2024, in the Gezawa local government area of Kano State during the morning prayer session, I visited Murtala Mohammed Hospital in Kano to sympathize with those injured and receiving treatment at the hospital.

The visit was to physically show solidarity with the wounded, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to thank and encourage the management of the hospital.

Most importantly, it was to send a message to the victims that we stand together in condemnation of any senseless act of violence and killing in our country.

Once again, I sincerely send my condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over this very sad incident. I extend my thoughts and prayers, especially to the families of the victims.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in our society to create a safer and more harmonious community for all.

For the deceased, may Almighty Allah forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest,” Obi stated.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has suggested that the circumstances surrounding the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash warrant suspicion, including the potential involvement of MOSSAD, the Israeli intelligence agency responsible for covert operations and counter-terrorism.

Atlantic Reporters reported that Raisi died in the crash at age 63, with CNN confirming his death based on Iranian news sources. The crash also claimed the lives of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and seven others. This incident comes at a tense time in the Middle East, with ongoing conflict in Gaza and occurring weeks after Iran launched a drone-and-missile attack on Israel in response to an attack on its diplomatic compound in Damascus.

Fani-Kayode, in a post on his X handle on Monday, described the deaths of Raisi and other officials as a monumental tragedy and a significant loss to the world. He emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate the incident and cautioned against readily accepting the official explanation of bad weather causing the crash.

He wrote: “The loss of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, along with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others, is a tragedy of monumental proportions and a great loss to the world. My condolences go to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the people of Iran.

“We still have much to learn about what really happened, but to those accepting the bad weather narrative, I say stop, think, and do not be gullible. Many are questioning whether MOSSAD was involved and if this was a black ops operation. Given the strange circumstances, I would not rule anything out.

“This is a terrible blow to those advocating for world peace and the cause of the people of Gaza and Palestine. Ebrahim Raisi was deeply committed to the Palestinian struggle. May his soul and the souls of those who died with him rest in peace.”