News
2.3 million registered voters eligible for Osun guber poll – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Osun State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed the figure on Thursday during the presentation of the Electronic Register of Voters to political parties in Osogbo.
Babalola described the presentation as a significant milestone in the commission’s preparations for the governorship election, saying the register would enhance transparency, inclusiveness and credibility in the electoral process.
She explained that the exercise was carried out in compliance with Sections 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which mandate INEC to compile, maintain, update and make available the register of voters to political parties within the stipulated period before elections.
According to her, “The electronic register will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the state, plan their campaigns effectively and engage the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner.”
She urged political parties to use the register responsibly to deepen voter education, encourage citizens’ participation in the electoral process and promote higher voter turnout on election day.
Babalola, however, warned against the misuse of the register for electoral offences, including vote-buying, voter inducement and intimidation.
“The Register of Voters must never be used as an instrument to perpetuate vote buying, voter inducement, intimidation, or any other form of electoral malpractice.
“Rather, it should serve as a legitimate means of reaching out to voters with ideas, programmes, and policies that will enable them to make informed choices. Elections should be contests of ideas and visions for development, not competitions based on inducement or other electoral offences,” she added.
The REC reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent governorship election in Osun State.
She said the commission had continued to put in place the necessary administrative, operational, technological and logistical arrangements required for the successful conduct of the election while maintaining professionalism, impartiality and integrity.
Babalola appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of the state to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperative throughout the electoral process.
She stressed that credible elections require the collective support of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, election observers and the electorate.
“I therefore urge everyone to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, vote buying, and every other act capable of undermining the credibility of the election. Let us continue to work together in the interest of democracy and the progress of Osun State,” she said.
The INEC boss thanked political parties and other stakeholders for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere in Osun State and formally presented the Electronic Register of Voters to the parties.
She expressed confidence that continued cooperation among stakeholders would strengthen the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.
Events
Plateau Records 87% Drop in Malaria Prevalence as Stakeholders Rally Support for 2026 SMC Campaign
The Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme has attributed the significant progress recorded in the fight against malaria to sustained government commitment, strategic partnerships and the dedication of health workers and community volunteers across the state.
The Project Manager of the Plateau State Malaria Elimination Programme, Nurse Ndak Andarawus, made this known on Tuesday during the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Media Parley held at the Crispan Event Centre in Jos.
The media engagement brought together health professionals, development partners, journalists and other stakeholders to strengthen public awareness and mobilise support ahead of the 2026 SMC implementation cycle.
According to Andarawus, the remarkable decline in malaria cases in Plateau State is the result of increased political commitment, improved implementation of malaria interventions, sustained government support and the contributions of development partners, particularly the Malaria Consortium.
She disclosed that malaria prevalence in the state has dropped dramatically from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, representing an 87 per cent reduction.
“The prevalence rate has dropped from 18.8 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2025, representing about an 87 per cent reduction. It shows that malaria elimination is possible, and with sustained support for the SMC programme, we can achieve zero malaria,” she said.
Speaking at the event, the Project Manager of Malaria Consortium, Dr. Mbwas Mashor, explained that the media parley was organised to improve public awareness, promote accurate information and encourage caregivers to ensure that eligible children receive the preventive medicines during the campaign.
He noted that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is a World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended intervention designed to protect children aged three to 59 months against malaria during periods of high transmission.
Dr. Mashor stressed that the success of the programme depends largely on effective community mobilisation and accurate dissemination of information, making the media a critical partner in achieving the campaign’s objectives.
Representatives of the Plateau State Ministry of Health, Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) also commended the achievements recorded in malaria control across the state.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention campaign and urged journalists to play an active role in combating misinformation, promoting community acceptance and ensuring that caregivers across Plateau State are fully informed about the exercise and its benefits.
They expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among government, development partners, healthcare providers, the media and communities would further accelerate Plateau State’s journey toward eliminating malaria.
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