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Osun 2026: INEC charges officials, transport unions on neutrality

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned Supervisory Presiding Officers, SPOs, and transport unions against partisanship.

It directed them to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials across the state.

The warning is coming ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, issued the directives on Friday during separate engagements in Osogbo as part of his readiness assessment tour ahead of the off-cycle governorship election.

Addressing leaders of transport unions at the INEC State Office, Amupitan said the Commission expected complete neutrality from all transport providers engaged for the election, stressing that vehicles contracted for the exercise would operate strictly under INEC’s supervision.

He said the commission had entrusted the unions with election logistics because of their operational capacity, but warned that any display of political allegiance by drivers or transport operators would not be tolerated during the electoral process.

“The moment we engage you for the purpose of this election, we are supposed to own your fleet, and therefore use it in accordance with our regulations.

“We are not supposed to take sides with anyone,” Amupitan said.

The INEC Chairman also emphasised the importance of punctual logistics, directing that vehicles should be available before Registration Area Centres, RACs, become operational at noon on the eve of the election. 

He added that election personnel and materials must arrive at polling units by 7.30 a.m. to enable voting to commence at 8.30 a.m. as scheduled.

According to him, the Commission has introduced a real-time monitoring dashboard to track the opening of polling units nationwide, noting that delays caused by vehicle breakdowns or driver unavailability would not be accepted. 

He added that Osun’s 30 local government areas, 322 registration areas and 3,763 polling units would require efficient logistics, particularly in difficult terrains.

The INEC Chairman while addressing Supervisory Presiding Officers undergoing training at Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, warned them against compromising the integrity of the electoral process by yielding to pressure from politicians.

He instructed the officers to comply strictly with the Commission’s operational manuals, insisting that election materials must not be delayed, diverted or released in instalments during the exercise.

“No delay of materials on your part, no diversion of materials, and please don’t allow politicians to use you,” Amupitan told the trainees, describing the Osun governorship poll as the final off-cycle election before the 2027 general elections and one that would attract nationwide attention.

Responding on behalf of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, the union’s Head of Organisation, Olayioye Adesina, assured INEC that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee smooth logistics throughout the election despite the union’s internal leadership disputes.

Adesina said the National Executive of the union had assumed responsibility for coordinating the Osun assignment to avoid allegations of factional influence. 

He added that only roadworthy, unbranded vehicles would be deployed, while drivers and coordinators had undergone sensitisation on INEC’s operational guidelines in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

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Puma, Persianas Retail And The National Sports Commission Launch The Puma Afrobeat House For Team Nigeria At The 2026 Commonwealth Games

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Persianas Retail Limited (PRL), PUMA’s official partner in Nigeria and one of the country’s leading sports and lifestyle retailers, has opened the doors of the PUMA Afrobeat House in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC). The dedicated hospitality and cultural hub was created for Team Nigeria at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The PUMA Afrobeat House opened on Friday, July 24th and will be open for 10 days. Throughout this period, it has served, and will continue to serve, as a rallying point where athletes, delegates, guests, families and friends can connect and celebrate, with DJ sets, entertainment, Nigerian food, drinks and hospitality.

Read Also: GOLD RUSH CONTINUES! Ezekiel Nathaniel Blazes to Commonwealth Title, Delivers Nigeria’s Ninth Gold in Glasgow

The House also hosted a World Press Conference on Wednesday July 30th, where the NSC, PUMA and PRL celebrated Team Nigeria’s strong showing at the Commonwealth Games and recognised some of the country’s medal-winning athletes for their outstanding performances. Currently, Team Nigeria sits 5th on the Glasgow 2026 medal table with 14 medals.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended PUMA for supporting Team Nigeria’s preparations.

“The impressive preparations Team Nigeria enjoyed ahead of these Games would not have been possible without partners like PUMA. We are happy to have PUMA by our side because they believed in our vision, and together we can achieve even more for Nigerian sports as we build towards future international competitions, including the Olympic Games.”

He added that under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission remains committed to improving athlete welfare, ensuring timely support and building sustainable systems that will strengthen Nigerian sport well beyond the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the event, Ayo Amusan, the CEO of PRL said the partnership with the NSC means a great deal to PRL.

“Sport has always had the power to unite people, inspire communities and showcase the very best of a nation. At PRL, that’s exactly what we look for, identifying talent and championing people who are truly passionate about what they do, and Team Nigeria’s athletes embody that.”

Mrs Amusan added

“Working alongside the NSC to support Team Nigeria means the athletes can focus on what matters most, which is performing and giving their all in competition. Through our partnership with the NSC, we’ve created a space that celebrates Nigerian culture, brings people together and gives athletes and supporters a place to share in the excitement of the Games. At PRL, we’re proud to help bring that vision to life with PUMA and we are looking forward to what the future will hold for both brands.”

Also speaking at the event, Bastien De Toledo, Head of Team Sport at PUMA, described the collaboration as the beginning of an exciting journey and is positive about the future of Nigerian sports under the current NSC leadership.

As Team Nigeria continues its winning streak in Glasgow, the PUMA Afrobeat House will remain open throughout the Games until August 2nd, welcoming athletes, delegates, supporters and guests to experience the culture and community, and to celebrate Nigerian excellence both on and off the field.

About Persianas Retail Limited (PRL)

Persianas Retail Limited (PRL) is Nigeria’s premium sports and lifestyle retailer, and the official partner of PUMA, Lacoste, and GUESS in the region, offering a wide range of sportswear and apparel through 14 stores nationwide.

Beyond the physical stores across the country, PRL has expanded its reach through its online platform, The Mix.Ng. This digital destination allows customers to conveniently shop for their favorite brands from the comfort of their homes, offering a seamless shopping experience

About PUMA

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world’s best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. Known for its iconic cat logo and the Formstrip, the company offers performance products in categories such as Football, Running and Training.

The company distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

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Aradel’s half-year profit grows far less than revenue as galloping costs bite

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Aradel Holdings reported a dramatically higher turnover for January to June but saw no commensurate boost in earnings.

Within the period, global oil drillers generally cashed in on the sweeping supply chain disruption induced by the US-Israeli War against Iran. The oil and gas corporation, which last year completed a majority stake purchase in ND Western, an oil drilling firm where it previously held a non-controlling interest, expanded revenue nearly seven times to ₦2.5 trillion from ₦368.1 billion.

That sharp pace of growth could not be matched by after-tax profit, which climbed to ₦191 billion from ₦146.4 billion as exploding costs ate away at revenue.

Escalation in the Middle East, following the eruption of the war against Iran in February, has hindered a seamless supply of crude around the world, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint that carries roughly 20 per cent of global petroleum and liquefied natural gas.

In consequence, oil price spikes are creating a bonanza for energy companies, with Big Oil like Exxon and Chevron reaping $26.5 billion in joint windfall off the back of the war, and Aradel’s local rival Seplat reporting a 430 per cent half-year profit surge on Thursday.

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Aradel derived 77.8 per cent of revenue from crude oil exports during the review period, according to its unaudited accounts issued on Friday. Average daily oil production jumped by 258 per cent, while average daily gas output increased by 1,121 per cent.

Its refining business, situated at the Ogbele field in Rivers State and capable of processing 11,000 barrels of crude daily, generated ₦129.5 billion from the sale of refined products, up 8.1 per cent.

The corporate results took a hit from other losses, which totalled ₦213.1 billion, compared with a gain of ₦8.6 billion one year prior. Finance costs, which rose to ₦326.1 billion from ₦11.1 billion, also weighed on performance.

READ ALSO: Aradel Holdings Plc celebrates dual honours at 2026 NOG Energy Awards

EBIT margin stood at 42.4 per cent, up from 32.2 per cent. Share of profit of an associate, which came in at ₦71.3 billion a year ago, delivered nothing this time around.

Tax spending ballooned by 1,150.4 per cent to ₦561.7 billion as current tax surged, heaping pressure on earnings. Profit before tax leapt 293.4 per cent to ₦752.7 billion.

“A firmer price environment supported performance, generating net cash from operating activities of ₦975.6 billion and a closing cash balance of ₦1,716.6 billion,” Adegbite Falade, the CEO, said in a separate statement on Friday.

“This drove the reduction in net debt to ₦46.5 billion at year’s end, from ₦475.1 billion in the prior year,” he added.


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