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The release of provisional figures of registered voters in the country marked the end of a phase in the march towards the April General Elections. Earlier, the timetable for the elections had been released last November, primaries for election of candidates were held in January and, at the end of the month, the lists were sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The release of the lists last week elicited so much reaction and raised the dust in the leading political parties.

A total of 67.7 million voters were said to have been registered in all states of the federation. Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Borno States topped the list. Lagos recorded 6.24 million voters, Kano 5.13, Kaduna 3.56, Katsina 2.93 and Borno 2.73 million. Between them, the top five states account for about 21 million registered voters or almost a third of the voting population.

By contrast, the five states that recorded the least number of voters, Bayelsa, Niger, Ekiti, Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory have a total 3.7 million voters. The figures have set agog the campaign teams of the presidential candidates who are now busy calculating the states to ay close attention in the drive for votes.

Source: Voter registration: Jonathan, Buhari, Ribadu, others scramble for votes

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The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to make the registration of voters a continuous process.

It said local governments, should adopt the proces to identify those over 18 and above.

Source: Professionals seek continuous registration of voters

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Where is the N20billion loot recovered from former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun?

This was the question before members of the House of representatives yesterday.

The whereabouts of the cash became subject of discussion during the consideration of a Bill for an Act to establish the Police Reform Trust Fund and matters connected therewith 2010.

Source: Reps raise alarm over missing N20b Tafa Balogun loot

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The Senate yesterday approved last year's $1.348 billion as outstanding loan for the Federal Government and 14 states.

It gave the approval after considering the report of its Joint Committees on Finance, National Planning, Economic affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Source: Senate approves $1.348b loans for Fed Govt, 14 states

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General Mohammed Buba Marwa had a reputation that followed him into the political terrain. When he served as Military Governor of Borno State and Administrator of Lagos State, he was not only popular in those states, he took time to create a followership in his home state, Adamawa, by raising funds for projects.

In 2007, he attempted to contest for president but was stopped at the primary stage. Four years later, he scaled down his ambition by seeking the Peoples Democratic Party's ticket to run for governor. However, the party's decision to allow the incumbents fly the flag affected Marwa who promptly defected to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Source: Marwa: A dream deferred till 2012

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against moves to ridicule the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami

It said the attempt is tantamount to destroying the judiciary, adding that it was wrong for the National judicial Council (NJC) to query judges just because a litigant is unhappy.

Source: Salami: ACN warns PDP not to destroy Nigeria

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Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of mismanaging the state's funds.

Aregbesola spoke in Ikire, Irewole Local Government, during the electioneering campaign rally of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Source: Aregbesola blasts PDP for mismanaging funds

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CANDIDATES facing corruption charges should stay off the April elections, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)chair Mrs. Farida Waziri advised yesterday. Mrs. Waziri said the commission is ready to make the list of "corrupt" candidates, not fit to contest April general elections, available to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Source: EFCC ready with list of 'corrupt' candidates, says Waziri

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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chair Prof. Attahiru Jega in Abuja yesterday swore in three new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Ondo and Ekiti states and the Federal Capital Territory Ondo.

The new RECs are Dr Godwin Mbatsavbee (FCT), Mr Akin Orebiyi (Ondo State) and Alhaji Hussaini Pai  (Ekiti State). Mrs Ayoka Adebayo was the former REC in Ondo.

Jega reminded them of the expectations of Nigerians of the Commission ___to ensure a reformed electoral process.

Source: Ondo, Ekiti, FCT get new RECs

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The counsel to the reinstated Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo, Mr. Michael Lana, yesterday raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life.

Source: Tokyo's lawyer alleges threat to life...24 hours after attack on NURTW office