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Osun Election European Union observers table demands

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The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, EU-SDGN EOH, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure transparent result transmission and deployment of adequate personnel ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The EU observers made the demand in a pre-election statement issued during a press conference on Friday.

Jake Epelle, of TAF Africa, and Brenda Anugwom, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, NWTF, on behalf of the EU-SDGN EOH, called on INEC to distribute sensitive election materials to all polling units on time to ensure accreditation and voting commence by 8:30 am.

The election observers also urged the commission to guarantee seamless electronic transmission of validated polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, in real time and maintain adequate backup capacity for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS.

They asked INEC to publish a clear protocol explaining the end-to-end results transmission process, including the purpose of the electronic EC8A and the backend validation stage before results are published on IReV.

In the same vein, they demanded that Ward EC8B and Local Government EC8C collation result sheets be published on IReV alongside polling unit results.

“This would enable citizens, political parties and observers to verify results at every stage,” they stated.

The observers urged the commission to ensure transparent and timely announcement of results from polling units through Registration Areas and Local Government Areas to the State Collation Centre.

They equally called on INEC to deploy trained personnel and adequate assistive voting devices to facilitate priority voting for women, youths, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable voters.

On political parties and candidates, the EU-SDGN EOH urged them to respect the July 30, 2026 Peace Accord and accept the outcome of the election as declared by INEC.

The observers noted that any grievances arising from the election should be pursued through lawful and judicial means, rather than protests, violence or self-help.

“Political parties should refrain from vote-buying, voter intimidation and deployment of political thugs,” they added.

They also urged security agencies to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the election, deploy adequate personnel to critical and high-risk areas and secure transport routes, polling units and collation centres in advance.

The EU observers called for stronger coordination among security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), urging them to respond rapidly and impartially to electoral violence, harassment and disruptions.

They demanded public disclosure of progress on pending investigations into electoral violence, including arrests, charges and court dates, noting that it would strengthen deterrence and demonstrate that impunity would not be tolerated.

They also urged the media to “verify information before publication, avoid amplifying fake news and refrain from broadcasting unofficial election results until they are declared by INEC at the appropriate collation level”.

The observers also called on voters to arrive early, vote freely and independently, reject financial or material inducements and report vote-buying or other electoral malpractice to INEC officials, security agencies or accredited observers.

The EU-SDGN EOH said the recommendations were aimed at supporting a free, fair, peaceful and credible Osun governorship election, urging all stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities throughout the voting, collation and declaration processes.

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Motsepe Urges Calm as FIFA Crisis Deepens, Backs March 2027 Election

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Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has called for calm and unity amid the growing crisis within world football’s governing body, insisting that the FIFA presidential election in March 2027 should provide the appropriate platform for members to determine the organisation’s direction.

Speaking in Salzburg around the UEFA Super Cup, Motsepe said the current disagreements should not descend into prolonged internal conflict, urging all sides to respect FIFA’s electoral and governance processes.

Read Also: ‘Africa Must Protect Its Interests’ — CAF’s Lux September Speaks on FIFA Crisis | Sports247 Nigeria

FIFA’s 211 member associations are expected to decide the organisation’s leadership at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027. Current president Gianni Infantino is seeking another term.

Motsepe maintained that the election should allow the various candidates and member associations to make their positions clear through the established democratic process rather than through continued public confrontation.

The CAF president also reiterated his support for Infantino, describing him as a leader who has shown commitment to African football.

“Gianni Infantino has been loyal to Africa and has shown a deep commitment to African development and growth.”

His comments come amid a major dispute over FIFA’s proposed Forward Enterprise, which involved plans for private investment in FIFA competitions and triggered strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and other stakeholders. FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal after widespread criticism over transparency and the consultation process.

Motsepe said the current situation should instead encourage dialogue, cooperation and respect for due process.

Africa’s position could be particularly influential at the election because CAF’s 54 member associations represent the second-largest voting bloc in FIFA, behind UEFA’s 55.

With the FIFA presidential contest approaching, Motsepe’s position keeps CAF firmly aligned behind Infantino while other confederations continue to demand changes in FIFA’s leadership and governance.

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Guinea Insurance Positions for Next Growth Phase Following NAICOM Recapitalisation Approval

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Emerging from National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), sector-wide recapitalisation drive with a capital base exceeding ₦15 billion, Guinea Insurance Plc on Friday said its positioning itself for a major market transformation.

With NAICOM verification now completed, the non-life insurer plans to deploy its strengthened capital position toward underwriting larger corporate risks, expanding digital infrastructure, and competing more aggressively for market leadership within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

A statement released by the insurer noted that, recapitalisation is not the destination. It is the platform for growth.

The statement further said is now focused on converting its enhanced capital position into greater underwriting capacity, stronger customer propositions, improved service delivery, strategic partnerships and sustainable market growth.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ademola Abidogun, said:

“Recapitalisation has given Guinea Insurance the strength to think bigger, compete harder and pursue opportunities with greater confidence. We have strengthened our capital; now we are focused on strengthening our position in the market.”

“Nigeria is a market of enormous opportunities, and Guinea Insurance intends to be at the forefront of capturing those opportunities. Whether it is supporting major corporates, SMEs, institutions or individuals, we are ready to provide the capacity, expertise and confidence that businesses need to grow.”

The completion of the recapitalisation also reinforces Guinea Insurance’s ambition to become a more competitive, innovative and customer-focused insurer, with increased capacity to participate in larger risks, develop relevant insurance solutions and deepen its relationships across the insurance value chain.

The Company will build on this stronger foundation through disciplined underwriting, technology and innovation, operational excellence, robust risk management and a relentless focus on customer experience.

It will also pursue strategic opportunities that expand its market reach and create sustainable value for shareholders and other stakeholders.

According to the Company, the objective is clear: to turn capital strength into market strength.

Guinea Insurance expressed its appreciation to its shareholders, investors, policyholders, brokers, employees, business partners, regulators and other stakeholders whose confidence and support contributed to the successful completion of the recapitalisation exercise.

As Guinea Insurance enters its next phase, the Company is looking beyond compliance and capital adequacy. It is preparing to compete for bigger opportunities, serve more customers, support more businesses and deliver greater value across the Nigerian economy.

The post Guinea Insurance Positions for Next Growth Phase Following NAICOM Recapitalisation Approval appeared first on Business Today NG.

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